Cultural Writing Of Cosmopolitanism In Rita Dove’s Selected Poems

Rita Dove(1952-),American Poet Laureate,is one of the most important contemporary African-American poets in the United States.She has published nine poetry collections,among which Thomas and Beulah(1986)won the Pulitzer Prize in Poetry in 1987.As an African poet of “Post-Black Art Movement” who entered the circle of American poetry in the 1980 s,Dove has held an extremely important position in the history of American African literature and American literature and has received much concern from the white and African-American literary circles.Dove’s poems are often filled with concern for personal values,and the recognition of the country and cultural identity,which reflects the poet’s cosmopolitan thought.With the guide of Kwame Anthony Appiah’s cosmopolitanism,this thesis aims to explore the cultural writing of cosmopolitanism in Dove’s selected poems.First of all,this thesis analyzes the writing of personal stories and group narrative culture of cosmopolitanism in Dove’s selected poems,pointing out that personal stories are the foundation of group narrative culture.The character Beulah in Thomas and Beulah is based on the archetype of Dove’s grandmother,whose story emblems the subversion of the traditional black female image in the history of American families,and Rosa in On the Bus with Rosa Parks,as a symbol of the history of black liberation in the United States,does not offer her seat to whites on bus,which embodies that the focus of cosmopolitanism is not about abstract individuals,but individuals who belong to a specific race,nationality,and gender.Therefore,the concern for the individual is the initiation of Dove’s cosmopolitan thinking.Secondly,it analyzes the patriotic thinking in Dove’s poems.Dove believes that loving the world does not mean that a person needs to abandon their national identity.On the contrary,patriotism is the foundation of cosmopolitanism.Dove’s patriotic view is analyzed in two aspects in the second part.On the one hand,the protagonists’ memory of country is reflected in their attachment to homeland in Dove’s poetry.From the bottom of their hearts,homeland is their root and belonging.On the other hand,the protagonists’ emphasis on national honor is reflected in the text museum built by Dove.For Dove,the museum stands for a cosmopolitan exhibition hall.The diversity of national culture plays an important role in the construction of cosmopolitan culture.Finally,the thesis discusses the cultural identity after various characters’ experiencing cultural differences in Dove’s poetry: the music mulatto Bridgetower in Europe,Caribbean island women hanging out in the streets of Paris,and black women dancing court dance etc.These people,after facing different cultural differences,all cross boundaries and eventually become world citizens as the new cultural identity.Dove’s poetry encourages readers to love their own country,respect differences,and intend to call on the world citizens in terms of cultural identity.Although,nowadays,the cultural writing of cosmopolitanism in Dove’s poetry is obviously a little utopian and idealistic,it is indeed worthy of people’s yearning and pursuit.Furthermore,in today’s era of international disputes and disasters,cosmopolitanism may help to establish a good future community for mankind with world peace and security.